Report: Chicago needs commuter rail funds

April 30, 2009

Chicago and other cities with long-established rail systems are getting a shrinking share of federal funding for commuter trains, resulting in a $50 billion shortfall to modernize deteriorating transit lines, according to a report to Congress released today.The Federal Transit Administration study found that more than one-third of the commuter rail stations, trains and other facilities are in marginal or poor condition on the seven largest rail transit systems -- Chicago, Boston, New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Washington.

It means the systems often rely on equipment that is being used beyond its recommended life cycle and may be defective and dangerous. Parts of the Chicago Transit Authority's 224-mile rail system are more than 100 years old.

Excluding those seven aging transit systems, less than 20 percent of the transit infrastructure in other urban areas is rated marginal or poor, the study said.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he will offer legislation aimed at helping bring older transit systems to a state of good repair. It would require a $50 billion investment followed by $5.9 billion a year for maintenance, according to the federal transit study, which was requested by 11 senators.

The transit administration called for forming a temporary funding program to quickly reduce the backlog of rail projects. It also said the formula used to disburse rail-modernization grants should be changed to better meet the capital investment needs of established transit systems, which have lost funds to newer projects.

The CTA has identified $6.8 billion in unfunded capital needs to upgrade the current bus and rail system and improve safety. Most of that total, $5.3 billion, is for rail overhauls.

"Ridership continues to grow, so it is clear that people value the convenience and affordability of public transit. But continued investment is needed to renew it," CTA President Richard Rodriguez said.

Metra estimates it needs about $2.75 billion over the next five years to maintain its system in a state of good repair.

Increased funding for transit busways and high-occupancy vehicle lanes on highways has cut the share of dollars going to "old rail cities," the study found.

The seven largest rail transit systems received 90 percent of federal capital improvement funds in 1993, compared with 70 percent today, the study said. But those systems carry 80 percent of the rail transit riders in the U.S., providing more than 3 billion trips a year.

Durbin said he plans to introduce legislation to include in the next multiyear transportation funding bill. The current spending plan expires in September.

Durbin said the report "confirms that the city of Chicago is not alone in ... dealing with aging infrastructure that can't keep pace."

In addition to the federal effort, Illinois needs to approve a new capital improvement plan to provide a local match to the dollars from Washington, officials said.